Draft rigging



sept. 29, 1936. D s, BARRWS 2,055,472

DRAFT RIGGING v Filed Jan. 3l, i951 U RJ 2` sheets-sheet 2 Patented Sept. 29, 1936 PATENT OFFICE DRAFT RIGGING .Donald S. Barrows, Rochester, N. Y., assignor :to The Symington Company, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of Maryland `AI-iplcation January 31, 1931,.Serial No. V512,664

.more particularly rto a coupler ladapted for connection to a yoke by 4means -of an 4upright key providing for horizontal, and, i-'f desired, vertical,

' angling therebetween.

The principal object of my invention, generally considered, Vis -to provide -a simple and economically manufactured coupler adapted to be connected to -a A*vertical yoke, or Aone with vertically spaced slotted portionspby Ameans of a vertical or `upright :key passingthrough the slots in said spaced portions, shims or bearinghlocks being associated with one another, and ythe key and coupler, so'that said couplermay `angle horizontallylwith respect tothe yoke under the action of both ldraft and buin'g forces, #and also vertically, lif desired,withoutany 'appreciable' wear on the connecting key.

Another Iobject of the invention Aconsists 'in providing theshank or stemmember of `a coupler with a vertical slot or aperturetherethroughfthe end wall of said shank vrearwardly'of said aperture having va curved-rear surface which Amay either 'be cylindrical iabout a vertical axis, or spherical, 'and a front or -inner'surface preferably curved 'about a horizontal axis andpreferablytorodal, saidrear wallbeing formed with a longitudinal iaperturerpreferably receiving a loop on a bearing block 'or vouter shim, the face of said shim engaging the coupler stem being correspondingly curved 'and adapted to angle with respect vthereto, said 'forwardly extending loop normally embracing a key adapted to connect'the coupler to-an associatedyoke, and an innershim 1 disposedfbetweenthe rear edge of .said key and the vfront iface-of said-rear wall wherebythe desired angling 'movements of the coupler with respect totheyoke are permitted.

'Other objects andadvantagesof the invention relating 'to 'theparticular varrangement rand construction ofthe various ,parts .willbecome apparent ,asthedescription proceeds.

,Referring tothe drawings illustrating -invention, the scopewhereof is-dened by `the `appended claims liigure l -is .a horizontal :sectional .-vewfon the line 1 -l of .Fig k2 showing .one .embodiment of mysimproved :coupler vor 4drawbaryvith the associated ,shimsbr shea-ringibloeks and connecting key 4in rplace. Y V

EigurezZ-isa longitudinal vertical section on the .line :1l- T2 of Fig lflooking I in the direction of .the arrows, the yconnecting draft key being shown 1in vaside elevation, partsof the associated yoke and railway vehicle lwith which -used being illustrated.

fFigure 3 isa fragmentary sectional `view on the line 13-3 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figures 4 .and 5 are fragmentary `views corresponding, respectively, to Figs. 1 and 2, but showing a-modication- :Figures 6 .and '7 are fragmentary views fcorrespondin g,=respectively, to Figs. 1 and 2, but show ing another modification. v

'.Figures 8 and `9 are fragmentary views corresponding, respectively, lto Figs. 1 and y2, but showing a "still further modification.

"Figure l is a :fragmentary vviewcorresponding tolFig. V9, but showing a lmodification thereof.

Referring to the Vdrawings in detail, like parts beingdesignated by like reference characters, and rst considering `the vembodiment of my invention showndn Figs. l, 2 and '3, there-is shown a coupler Ifhaving a stem lor drawbar 2 provided `with a transverse orvertical slot 3, leaving a rearwall 4. The rear surface of the wall '4, in the present embodiment, -is shown. cylindrical about avertical axisyand'isprovided with a longitudinalapertureIG receiving a forwardly Vextending tongue or loopl'on a bearing block or outer shim 8. The shjmflis formed'with a concave cylindrical 'front face l9 `fitting the convex rear surface :5 on the drawbar 2 so that ,horizontal angling of said drawbar with respect to said shim is permitted, the clearance between the tongue `"l and Vthe aperture 6 and interior cavity l0 inthecoupler stem Vor drawbar being suicient to permit a reasonable amount of 4such angling.

vvThe Vfront or inner face H ofthe rear wall .4 of the couplerstemis curyedabcut ahorizontal axis, and, in `the present embodiment, is showntoroidal, with itsmajor radius `extending from a normally horizontal axis, although,jI do not wish to be limitedto this showing. `innershimpkey seat member, or bearing block l2, desirably closely fitting,between the side walls ofthe stem 2 deningfthe receiving pocket, with a lcorrespondingly formed rear vface I3 fitting the front face'or surface of -the wall .4 of said stem, and 4a preferably verticallystraight, concavelycurved front face |"3 fitting the convex orcylindrical rear face or edge of a'key`|4 is disposedbetween said inner wall `il of Y`thestem and the vertical orA upright key I4 whichnormally serves Lto connect the vcoupler stem or drawbar 2y/ith an associated yoke-.l5 `vvhich,.i11 thebpresent embodiment, is shown. ,as-of K.the yertical type, comprising vertically spaced arms I6, 55`

the forward portions of which are provided with registering slots I'I receiving the upper and lower ends of the key I4. In order to support the key I4, the lower end of said key is desirably pro- Y vided with a notched head I8 riding on a pin or horizontal supporting element I9, the ends of which are supported on ledges 2G and 2l depending from the lower arm I@ of the yoke I5, transverse retaining means 22 being desirably provided to'prevent loss' or undesired removal of the pin I9.

The parts of the assembled coupler and yoke are desirably held in place by having the inner shim or bearing block l2 `interlocked with the forwardly extending loop K'I byfhaving a reary wardly opening notch 23 fitting theY re'armost portion of the loop l, as shown most clearly in Fig. 2, and forming shoulders on the shim above.

vforwardly or has the side walls thereof diverging toward they front end, as shown most clearly in Figurejl, so `that the coupler may angle horizontally the desired amount with Vrespect to the key. The d iverging sides of the slot3 are preferably tangent to the curved front face ofy the innerorfront shimUIZ, or the curved rear edge of the key ,I4wh en in place, so that relative anglingbetween the coupler and key is permitted without any excess in the size of the coupler slot. Y In Figure 2 the coupler and yoke areshown assembledbetween the sills 2,5 of an associated railway vehicle, the front ends of which have connectedithereto the striking casting 26 through which'the coupler stem 2 extends. The yoke, only the forward portion of which is shown, preferably has the rearmost portion of normal construction embracingV an associated follower and/'orf cushioning mechanism I VI,v diagrammaticallyindicated by dot-and-dash lines. Under the action of draftforces, the coupler, through its kyed'connection with the yoke, pulls the rearwardportion of the cushioning mechanism forwardly, theforwardportionbeing stopped in any`de`sired manner, *as by means of the usual front draft lugs (not shown) Horizontal anglin'gof the coupler with respect to the yoke is permitted on draft about the rear edge Vof the key I4, the inner shim I2 angling or swiveling about'said rearedge. Vertical or up-and-down movements ofthe coupler with respect to the yokev takeplace about the vertically curved rear face or .edge of the shim I2 because of the vertical" curvature or toroidal shape ofV said rear edge'and the engaging surface at the front of the rear wall 4 of the coupler stem.

Under theV action ofbuiling forces, the coupler shims and associatedV vertical ,key move rearvvardlyAv withV respect to the yoke I5, said key sliding in the elongated slots Il in the yoke arms, pushing `the front follower and/or'cushioning mechanism rearwardly, and compressing the sameiagainst rear draft lugs or other backstop Horizontal angling of the.

portion of the key I4 as a center, the cylindrical rear face 5 of the coupler stem swivelling on the curved front face 9 of the outer shim or bearing block 8. No such provision in this embodiment is made for vertical angling on buff, such angling being possible, however, by canting of the bearing block or rear shim 8 on the front face of the front follower or `cushioning mechanism 2'I. ,Y Y v In the embodiment disclosed, and with par- ,ticlular reference to Figure 1, it will be seen that the loop I on the rear bearing block or shim 8 has the, rearward portion widened to receive the v front or inner shim I2, as indicated at 28, the

shoulders 29 formed'where the widening takes place being normally spaced from the front edge of the shim I2 to permit disengagement of the Vs him aftergwithdrawal of the key I4, said disengagement being eiected by moving the shim forwardly until the notched portion 23 disengages from the rear portion of the loop l. It will be seen that one of the lcharacteristics of the constructionl-just described is that the rear surface of the end wall is curved horizontally or cylindrically, while the front surface is curved vertically. c K g Y.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, a construction is there `disclosed which is substantially identical with that( of the first embodiment, except that the engaging surfaces 5a on the rear Wall 48L of the coupler stem or drawbar 2a' and the front face 9a on the associated rear shim or bearing block 8a are spherical rather than cylindrical, so that when the coupler is subjected to bullng forces, vertical as well as horizontal angling may take place .between the coupler stem and the rear or outer bearing block or shim 8% without canting or tilting of said shim. As in the previous embodiment, thel shim isprovivded with a forwardly extending, preferably integral horizontal loop 'Ia normally registering with the coupler slot 3a and corresponding slots in the yoke (not shown) the front or inner shim I 2a' being provided with a notch23a receiving the rearward'portion of the loop Ia for interlocking the shim in place, said shim being removable after withdrawal of the key I4a because of the clearance 28a provided'between the shoulders 279a on the loops Iab and the front of the'shim 4%, Except as specifically described in connection Ywith the present embodiment, the same may correspond with rthat of the first embodiment.

Referring now l'to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, a construction is there disclosed vwhich may be substantially identical 'with that' of Figures 4 and 5, except that the key I4b connecting the coupler stem 2b and the yoke I5b is'n'arrower and thicker than the key ofthe previous embodiments, the slots in said coupler andyoke and in the tongue 'Ib on the rear shim 8b, and the curvature of the front face of the inner shim I2b being correspondingly changed in shape or curvature, but the construction being otherwise substantially identical.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustratedri'n Figures 8 and'9, a construction is there disclosed Ywhich is substantially identical with that of Figures l and 2, except that the key is narrower and thicker, and instead of having the sides parallel, said sides are or diverge forwardly, providing a key I4c substantially wedgeshapedin horizontal section. The construction is otherwiseidentical, lexcept for the changes in the shape ofthe loop 'Ic formed on the block or shim mordere 8cV for v:connecting said shim tof Hthe coupler stem 2c and interlockinglyholding `itl-ie inner shim l2c in place. The loop 1c, of the Ypresent embodiment, is as wide :at the forward portion as where it 5joins the 4block proper, and vis notV reduced in width-at its forward portion to provide shoulders,*as in the irstembodiment, because the increased forward width-of'thekey Il!c isas great as the kwidth of the key-embracing portions ofthe shim |2. `The advantage vof having the connecting key I4c wedge-shaped in section i's that the inner vshim may be `made `to correspond with the shim of Figures l, Zand 3, that is, the figures in which a thin `and relatively lwide key is used, while at the same time maintaining substantially the advantages of 'the relatively-thick and `narrow key of Figures 6 and 7.

Referring now to the embodiment of fmy invention illustrated in Figure 10, a construction is there disclosed which is identical with that of Figures 8=and 9 exceptthat the front face of the rear or outer shim 8d which is connected to the coupler Vstern 2d by the vertical wedge-shaped key ldd passing throughaslot in the loop'or forward projection 1d is spherical rather than cylindrical, andthe rear vrsurface of the coupler stem 2d is correspondinglyc'urved.

From Athe 'foregoing disclosure, it will be seen that I havedevised a coupler normally connected to an associated yoke by means of a vertical key permitting transverse or horizontal angling and associated vwith shimspermitti'ng Vertical angling.

Although `preferred embodiments of my invention have -been illustrated, it will be understood that modifications may be made within thespirit and scope of the appended claims. 1

V1. `In railway draft rigging, in combination with a coupler stem having a rearwardly opening pocket and a spherical bearing face on the rear end ither'eof, a vertical yoke,` cushioning mechanism embraced by said yoke and disposedV rearwardly of the coupler stem, an outer shimvwitha front spherically concave face fitting the spherical rear end ofthe couplerstema'nd a' tongue received in said `stem`pocket, said coupler andyoke having normally'registering slots, a vertical key passing through said slots, an inner shim disposed be'- tween the rearedges of said key and-coupler slot, said inner shirn'havlng a convex rear surface nesting with a'concav'efsurface in the stem for lvertical angling and Ja concaveforward face lfitting the rear edge of said key, the outer shim tongue'being also 'formed `with f af slot' normally registering with the oouple'rfslot andreceiving 'said key for holding said shim in place, Isaid inner shim being formed with a 'notch engaging a portion of said tongue for interlocking the parts together, and means connected to said yoke forsupporting said key.

2. In 'railway draft rigging, in combination with a coupler stein having a rearwardly opening fpocket, Va convex spherical bearing face on the rear end of said stemVa vertical yoke,cush` ioning mechanism embraced by `said yoke'fand disposed rearwardlyof the stem, an outer shim with a lfront spherically concaveface fittin'g'the spherical rear endfof the coupler stem, andhaving'a'tongue-recei'ved in said `stem pocket,l `said coupler andyoke having normally regstering slots, a vertical key passing ithrough `said slots, an inner shim disposed between the'rear edge of saidfkey and coupler'slot, said inner shim having-a -convex '-rear Asurface fitting a concave surfacein thestem for vertical angling, ma forwardgfaceengagin'g the rear -edge 'of said key,

andA sa `portion :of said innershim .providing a shoulderlying above said tongue ,Eto prevent undesired s'himfdisplacement, the outer shim tongue having a slotnormallyreg'istering with the coupler slot and receiving -said key and in'- ner shimfor holding the parts in place.

\ 43. In railway draft rigging, in combination .with I`azcclupler stem having a rearwardly opening :pocket and a convexlycurved' bearing face onethe rear end thereof, a vertical yoke, cushioning mechanism embraced by :said yoke anddisposed rearwardly lof `-theffcoupler stem, an outer shim Vwith Ianfro'nt 'concavely curved Aface fitting the"rearfend of the .coupler stem anda 'slotted tonguerece'ived in'said stem zpocket, said coupler and `yoke having slots normally registering with the tongue slot, a vertical :key Vwith 'a vertic'ally "straight, horizontally rounded, rear edge portion, fand passing `through =all vof `said vslots, an inn'er-shimdispesed in said'coupler'and 'tongue slots rearwardly =oi said key, said inner shim having a vvertically/curved `surface fitting a corf lrespondingly curvedfsurfaceon the stem for vertical angling only, vand a vertically straight `forwa'rdfface nesting with the rear Iedge portion of said key to allow l`for 'horizontal angling only.

`4. .-A car couplerjcorhprising a shank having a'rearend fwall and a transverselyextending slot in Vvadvf'ajnce thereof, said rear wal1`havingcurved rear 'and forward surfaces 'and beingv 'apertured a bearing block having a `curved forward face cooperating with said curved rear surface, a shim positioned in said slot and 'havingalcurved rear 'face cooperating with said curved v'forward surface of the rear wall of'the shank member, means `extending through the aperture Vin said wall `for connecting saidfbearing :block and shim, said "-m'eans having 'a slot registering with the couplerslotand the 'rear face of said shim being notched 'to engage said means, and means for holding'said'bearingblockland shim in assembled relationwith respecttosaid shank. r

'15.A coupler comprising a shank having a curved -rear end and fa curvedy -interior surface in Ladvance 'thereof and formed with a transversely extending slot, 'a Ykey Aseat member having a Acurved rear face' corresponding to and engagingfsaid interior surface of the shank, a bearingblock adapted to engage `the forward portion of associated cushioningimechanism and havingits forward face curved 'forcooperating with "the'curved Arear end of the `shank member, means extending forwardly from said bearing block-'into saidfsha'nk for connecting said bearing "block theretdsaid means having shouldered portionslove'rlying the forward edge of the key s'eatmemberfbut forwardly spaced therefrom to permit t'relative longitudinal movement :therebetween for-:removal of said key 'seat member from the -shan'k vand means `for :retaining the keyiseat member andibearingblock imposition. Y

'6; A coupler comprising a shank formed at its yrear end with'afcurved exterior surface and having Aa curved Vinterior-surface in advance thereof, said shank being transversely slotted and formed with a rearwardly opening recess communicating 'with said slot, a `bearing block adapted 'to `engage associated cushioning mechanism and `having --a curvedl'forward Vface 'for cooperating with thecurved-exterior surface Vof the shank, -a shim positioned Ein said slot and havingla curvedrear face-forcooperating ywith the `curved interiorsurface of the shank,- a lloop member extending forwardly from said bearing block through said recess 'and embracing said shim, the rear face of saidshim ;being notched to interlock with the correspondingl portion of the loop member, and means acting to retain the bearing .block and` shim in vassembled relation with respect to said shank.

V'7. A couplericomprising a shank formed at its rear end with a curved exterior surface and having in advance thereof: a curvedinterior surface, a bearingV` block adapted vto `engage the forward portion ofY associated cushioning mechanism and having a curvedv forward face for cooperating with said exterior surface of the shank, a shim having a curved rear face for-cooperating Vwith said curved interior surface of the shank, a loop member for .connecting the bearing block to the shank, said loop member having.V spaced portionsbetween which the shim extends, said shim being formed with a notch in the rear portion interlocking-.with the loop member, said loop member having shoulders normally forwardly spaced .with respect to said shim for permitting forward movement of said shimfforV disengagement rof the notch portion with respect to said loop member, and means normally retaining the bearing block andA shim assembled inY proper relation with respect to the shank.Y i

8. In railway draft rigging, in combination with'a coupler stem having a rearwardly opening pocket anda curved bearing vface at the rear end. thereof, a vertical yoke, cushioning mechanism embraced by said yoke and disposed rearwardly of the coupler stem, an outer shim with a `front curved face fitting the curved rear end of the coupler stein and a-tongue received in said pocket,.said :coupler yoke and tongue having normallyregistering slots, a verticalkey and associated inner Vshim passing through-said slots, the rear surface of the inner shim and the engagedsurface-of the ,coupler stem being correspondingly curved to allow angling therebetween,

'the slots insaid yoke being, extended rearwardly of the normal'postion of the key to allow the coupler .to move rearwardly independently ofthe yoke to compress said cushioning mechanism, andmeans connected to said yoke for supporting saidkey and preventing loss of said shims, the, lower. portion of said key engaging said means andslidable therealong with the coupler upon Vlongitudinal movement of said coupler with respectito said yoke. j

' 9. Aicoupler comprising a shank having a rear end wall anda transversely extending slot in advance thereof adapted to receive a vertical key having acylindrically curved rear edge portion, andthe end portions of which are received in registering slots` in an associated yoke, said wall having a rearsurface curved Cylindricallyabout a vertical axis and a forward toroidal surface with avmajor radius having ahorizontalaxis, a bearing block having ra correspondingly curved forward face cooperating with'said rear surface, and a key seat member positioned in, and closely fitting betweenlside walls defining, said shank 'slotand having a forward portion adapted to be engaged by, and curved to correspond with the rear. edge portion of, said key and a rear face correspondingly curved and coopearting with Ysaidcurved forward surface of said rear wall,

said'bearing block being provided with a forwardlyextending portion'ernbracing the key seat member, and said key when in place passing through said forwardly extending portion and holding said-bearing block and key seat member in assembled relation'with respect to `said shank.

10. A coupler comprising a shank having a rear entiv wall and a transversely extending slot in. advance thereOfVsaid wallhaving a rear cylindrical surface horizontally curved and a forward toroidal surface vertically curved about its major axis, a bearing block having a correspondingly curved forward face cooperating with said curved rear surface, a key seat member positioned in, and closely fitting between side walls defining, said slot and having a rear face correspondingly curved and cooperating with said curved forward face of said rear wall for vertical angling only with respect thereto, and means comprising a vertical key passing through an extension onv said bearing block and coupler shank slot and in engagement with said key seat member for holding said bearing block and key. seat member in assembled relation with respect to said shank.

fr 11. A couplerv adapted for attachment to a draft yoke or the like comprising a shank having a rear end wall and a transversely extending slot in advancethereof, said rear wall having a rear surface cylindrically curved about normally upright-axis, and a forward toroidal surface with a major radius having an axis at right angles to the axis of the rear surface, a key seat member positioned in, and closely fitting between side walls defining, said slot, and having a rear face correspondingly curved and engaging the forwardV surface of said rear wall so that it is adapted to angle only about the major axis of said surface,v and a bearing block member adapted to engage the follower of an associated draft gear and'having a forward face correspondingly curved for cooperating with the curved rear surface of` said rear Wall of the shank, so that it is adapted to angle about the axis of vsaid surface, said block having a tongue fitting in 'an opening in the rear end of said shank and formed with a slot registering with the shank slot for receiving a connecting draft key in pivotal engagement with the front face of said key seatmember.

V12. A coupler adapted for attachment to a draft yoke or the like, comprising a shank having a rear end wall and a transversely extending slot in advance thereof, adapted to receive a vertical key having a cylindrically curved rear edge portion, said slot having the side walls thereof ared or diverging forwardly to provide for a relatively large amount of angling with respect tosaid key, said end wall having a rear surface curved cylindrically about a normally vertical axis and a forward toroidal surface with a major radius havingv a normally horizontal axis, a bearing block having a forward face correspondingly curved and cooperating with said rear surface, and a key seat member positioned in, and closely fitting between, side walls defining said shankslot, and having a forward portionadapted to be engaged by, and curved to correspond with, the rear edge portion of said key, and a rear face correspondingly curved and cooperating with said curved forward surface of saidrear wall, said bearing block being provided with means forming a loop and extending from a central portion through said rear end Wall of theshank, cooperating with the key seat member` and adapted to receive said key, said loop being as wide at its forward portion as where it joins with saidblock.

`V113. A coupler adapted for attachment to a draft yoke or the like, comprising a shank having a rear end wall and a transversely extending slot in advance thereof, said slot having side walls diverging forwardly and adapted to receive a vertical key therebetween, having a cylindrically curved rear edge portion, and allowing for a relatively large amount of angling with respect thereto, said end wall having a rear surface curved cylindrically about a normally vertical axis, and a forward toroidal surface with a major radius having a normally horizontal axis, a bearing block having a forward face correspondingly curved and cooperating with said rear surface, and a key seat member positioned in, and closely fitting between, side walls defining said slot and having a forward portion adapted to be engaged by, and curved to correspond with, the rear edge portion of said key, and a rear face correspondingly curved and cooperating with said curved forward surface of said rear wall, said bearing block being provided with a forwardly extending portion forming a loop passing portion, and said key being integral and having forwardly diverging side surfaces, said key, when in place, holding said bearing block and key seat member in assembled relation with respect to said shank.

14. A coupler with a stem having a rearwardly opening pocket and a convexly curved bearing face on the rear end thereof, an outer shim with a front concavely curved face fitting the rear end of the coupler stem and a tongue received in said stem pocket, said coupler and tongue having normally registering slots adapted toj receive a connecting vertical key with a vertically straight, horizontally rounded, rear edge portion, and passing through all of said slots and with its ends adapted for reception in registering yoke slots, an inner shim disposed in said coupler and tongue slots rearwardly of said key, said inner shim having a vertically curved surface fitting a correspondingly curved surface on the stem for vertical angling only, and a vertically straight forward face nesting with the rear edge portion of said key to allow for horizontal angling only.

DONALD S. BARROWS. 

